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Lucky Pierre

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Posts posted by Lucky Pierre

  1. On 1/19/2020 at 5:37 PM, Amplifierz said:

    They have higher output, since the radiating surface of the dome is now uncovered. Thats why i needed to lower its output through resistors. 

    I can attest to this.  One of the screens fell off the mid on my AR 3s, and I haven't gotten around to re-gluing it yet.  One speaker has noticeably higher output than the other.

    P

  2. Hi Chris,

    Nice speakers!  I can't help with the date, but I think Markkb and our friend Denny Roll took care of that.

    Where did you get those stands?  I am looking for something like that for my 3s.

    I tried my 3s with a couple of tube amps:  30 watts up to a pair of 60 watt Dynaco Mk III.  They didn't come alive until I put them on a lot of SS power, currently a Marantz 240 (~160 watts).

  3. Thanks Glenn.

    I've been thinking about what to do with the cabinets.  I had originally planned to sand, stain, and lacquer, to restore the original finish.  I have been considering sanding then oiling them with something like Watco Mahogany.  While not the original finish, the oiled cabs would go well with the rest of my oiled speakers.  Plus, it's a lot easier than spraying lacquer for those not experienced.

    I sanded and oiled my mahogany AR 7s a couple of years ago, and they are beautiful.

    What are your opinions, good people, on originality of finish?

    Peter

  4. Hi Glenn,

    Happy New Year!

    Well, I finally expect to have a permanent position within the month.  I've been consulting with a new start up since the end of October.  My boss says to expect a permanent position in January.  It will have been a little over a year since I have had permanent employment (and seven months in 2019 with no job.)  Once the contract is in hand we'll start looking for a new house.  There is one just across the street from us that I want.  Mostly because it has a two storey, 1000 sq. ft., heated and insulated barn!  A big workshop is just what I need!

    Peter

  5. Thanks Robert.

    Yes, this is one of the ones I picked up in the spring.  The cabinet restoration came out really nice.  I was laid off at the end of March, and just started working again.  All the hobbies were put on hold during the interim.

    I don't think too much catnip.  Just a big, 14 pound cat looking for a comfy place to sit!

    Peter

  6. Be careful with your woofers.  The white dust on the magnets is cadmium corrosion.  It IS toxic.  If it is not too late, you should wear nitrile or latex gloves and wipe it off with a dampened rag.  Windex or other gentle cleaner will work.  Then promptly dispose of the rag and gloves.

    DO NOT try to blow or vacuum it off.

    As other have said rebuilding the crossovers is pretty straightforward.

  7. So, the weather is getting warm enough to spray lacquer.  Does anyone have any tips for lacquering over stain?  I have been trying to get some information on the original stain used, but the company is not returning my calls.

    I was going to try to steam out some of the dents in the veneer, but I think I will leave them as battle scars.

    I plan on sanding 150, 180, 220, then staining red mahogany.  I have only used oil-based stains in the past.  I assume that if I use an oil based stain I should let it cure for at least a week before I lacquer.

    Do I need to use a sealer between the stain and the lacquer?

    I plan on using multiple coats of gloss lacquer, followed by a final coat of semi-gloss.

    I will probably use rattle cans, unless I can borrow a HVLP sprayer.

    Thanks!

    L_P

  8. Quick update:

    Day 4 with these and I keep thinking that this is the sound I have been looking for.  I picked up the Marantz 240 today, along with a 120B tuner.  I think the journey with this system is over.

    I picked up material for repairing the grills yesterday.  I found a post in my research, I think by lakecat, that suggested using electrical tape to attach the grill cloth.  I might try that route rather than glue.  I'll start that next weekend.

    I'm really looking forward to the cabinet work, but that will have to wait until spring so I can do the work outdoors.  I'm going to try my hand at spray can lacquer, to keep the finish original.

    Pics to come in a few months.

    Peter

  9. I cleaned the pots and recapped yesterday.  These speakers are glorious!

    First I tried them on an NAD T748 (100-125 watt at 4 ohm) in analogue bypass mode.  I was completely blown away. Then I tried them on a Marantz T7 preamp and a pair of Webster 30 watt 2A3 monoblocks.  They lost everything that made them sound good.  Muddy, dull, and lifeless.

    Tonight I swapped the Websters for a Carver TFM-6cb (rated at 100 watts into 4 ohm).  The first song up was Hendrix's Little Wing.  Just incredible!

    I'd love to hear these in a larger room.  I have also decided, based on a year or so of observation, that I don't think I am a tube guy.  Part of the problem is that all of my speakers are not that sensitive.  But I have also found that all of my speakers sound better on the SS NAD, vs. the Websters or my recapped and retubed Dynaco Mk III.  So, I've decided to divest of most of my tube gear.  I have my eye on a Marantz 240 to compliment my T7 pre.

    I'll post pictures when I start the cabinet restoration.

  10. 1 hour ago, ra.ra said:

    Cadmium? Cobalt? Dunno for sure, but it does look toxic, and my typical effort is to wipe it off with a rag dampened with household white vinegar.

    Yep, they can be a real PITA. I've watched a number of your impressive restorations, so have you arrived at a conclusive and preferred replacement solution? 

    I'm pretty sure it is cadmium.  I think the rings around the back side of the woofer are (were) cadmium plated.

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